chased leaders, led over 1f out, driven out, kept on well
chased leaders, one pace
held up in touch, prominent halfway, weakened over 3f out
with leaders, led 5f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, headway 4f out, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd entering final furlong, no chance with winner
held up mid-division, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, lost 2nd when weakening final furlong
held up, kept on final 3f
led, headed 5f out, soon beaten
held up mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, soon beaten
Alan Swinbank does well with his runners in bumper company but it is never easy to carry a penalty that his representative Touch of Irish has to do and he may have to settle for minor honours behind Santo Stefano, who gets the vote with Our Seb rated the pick of the remainder. The selection made a highly satisfactory debut in a Leopardstown bumper in December when chasing home Time Electric and, on that evidence, he looks to have solid claims of making a winning start for his new handler Howard Johnson. Chris Grant's Ninja ran better than expected on his debut and has to be considered along with Ferdy Murphy's newcomer Principal Lad but a bigger threat is likely to come from Our Seb. Malcolm Jefferson's gelding is undoubtedly better than he was able to show on his Kelso debut and has to be respected but it is hard to get away from Santo Stefano who gets the vote.
Touch of Irish 11-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, headway over 4f out, led on bit over 2f out, pushed clear, won at Newcastle 2m nhf (6) gs in Jan beating Dallas Bell (10-13) by 11l, 15 ran.
Grande Monsieur (IRE) Houmayoun gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Cociembe.
Ice Image (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden, weakened 4f out, 9th of 14, 48l behind Nodforms Paula (10-10) at Hexham 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Naseby Covert 6-1 (10-7) Held up midfield; eff 4 out; rdn when hmpd bend app 2 out; nt rec, 4th of 9, 16l behind Denby (12-0) at Welbeck 2m 5f ptp gf in Mar '06.
Ninja (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Towards rear, effort 5f out, ridden and chased leaders over 3f out, one pace, 4th of 15, 25l behind Poseidon (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gs in Jan.
Our Seb (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Prominent, led over 4f out, ridden, soon headed and weakened, behind over 1f out when pulled up in race won by Knockara Beau (11-4) at Kelso 2m mdn nhf (4) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Principal Lad (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Robbie Dye 16-1 (11-0) Raced keenly in mid-division, headway halfway, weakened over 3f out, last of 14, well behind Striking Article (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Rolecarr (IRE) Tragic Role gelding, half-brother to winners on the flat and over hurdles.
Santo Stefano (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Prominent on outer, 4th halfway, 2nd 5f out, challenged approaching straight, led under 2f out, headed over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 8l behind Time Electric (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m nhf gd in Dec.
Friend To All 33-1 (10-6) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 16l behind Oscar Gogo (10-9) at Kelso 2m nhf (5) gf in May.
Janal (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) In touch, lost place 6f out, ridden and weakened 4f out, 11th of 14, 32l behind Striking Article (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Saujana 16-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 11th of 16, 29l behind Weather Front (10-7) at Wetherby 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Skipper's Lad (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, took closer order 6f out, weakened entering final furlong, 4th of 15, 17l behind Touch of Irish (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Nodforms Violet (IRE) Rashar gelding out of winning bumper Whose Yer Wan.
Run Forest Run (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 8th of 15, 24l behind Lets Go Girls (10-2) at Kelso 2m 4yo nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
